Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-19

| If she had been able to burst irto tears
it would have been all right. She could
have gone to her room and cried her little
heart out. Some women can save them
selves that way. but it was not Tiny's ma.
ture. She grasped the handle of the door.
A SILVER, long deep sigh, her hands
sank. and she fell to the floor.
| All three ran to her in an instant.
| Tom, how could you 1t was cruel! y
exclaimed the elder sister.
| Don't reproach him; Pm sure he didn't
know" said Aunt Rachel,
mo. that l didn't; thought it was
only joke-a passing Irritation"
Poor little Tiny No one ever took her
seriously.
Tom, Millcent and Tiny were the three
children of Sir Thomas Peckham. Tiny
was really christened Henrietta, but such
little body could never support such a
big name, so she was called Tiny by
everyone, and most people forgot that she
had any other title at ALL They had los:
their mother five years ago. and their
Aunt Rachel had ALWAYS spent many
months of the year at the Packham House.
| The weeks went on, ard never another
word was said to revive the pain in that
heart ten sizes too large for the frame that
held it but Tom and Mile had talked he
matter over seriously. She had told all she
knew: it was not much. Darrell had un.
doubtedlv paid Tiny considerable attention
and the child had confded to her sister
that she loved him dearly.
Hes an unmitigated scamp" said
Tom land when meet him I'll tell him
So"
II don't suppose he meant anything
said his sister.
'All the more reason for row. What
right had he to play with Tlnv's affaction>?'
'No doubt he only looked upon her as
child, like we all did. You really must
not rake this matter up again"
"Fve half mind to tell the guv'nor all
about it, and take his advice"
"No. Tom, dear say and do nothing
1t would only flater the selt-conceit of
| such fellow as Darrell to think that a true
little woman like Tiny had really f.llen in
love with him. He will marry Grace. and
there the matter will end. Tiny will be
more likely to get over her trouble if we
never refer to it in any way again"
The weeks went on. Tiny bore her sor.
row bravely; but these who watched her
saw the pain that lay at her heart. Her
laughter lost its merry ring. and her gaiety
seemed now taken in fits If desperation.
She longed to be always on horseback
galloping madly over the country, as il
trying to leave some haunting spectre far
behind Der.
Her brother began to get alarmed a. the
daring manner in which she rode. She'll
have fail one day, know she WILL" he
said ; but remonsirance only made her more
reckless. She seemed to say even more
| palmer than in words, ''What does it mat
| ter if am killed? | have nothing to live
for, and am only happy when in danger"
One morning the post brought invita-
| tons to ball at Shirley Hall; Mrs. Shir.
ley's son Robert was coming of age, and
there were to be great festivities. 1t was
at her house that Tiny had last met Jasper
Darrell. The two families had been stay
ing there for the shooting last autumn.
1t was here that they were always together
| it was here that the great love of which nc
one but Mile and herself had known
sprang up in her heart
&c be continued